Matthew 20:2 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition) When he had agreed with the workers [on wages] for the usual farm laborer’s pay for a day’s work, he [then] sent them to work in his vineyard. [Note: The coin mentioned here would amount to about $9.00, based on the average farm laborer’s hourly wage in 2005. [National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Feb. 2005]. This coin also forms the basis for calculating all other monetary references in the New Testament]. More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. American Standard Version (1901) And when he had agreed with the laborers for a shilling a day, he sent them into his vineyard. Common English Bible After he agreed with the workers to pay them a denarion, he sent them into his vineyard. Catholic Public Domain Version Then, having made an agreement with the workers for one denarius per day, he sent them into his vineyard. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version And having agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. |
But that [same] servant went out and found one of his fellow-servants who owed him a small sum of money [Note: The amount was about 100 twelve hour days of a farm laborer’s pay or about $10,800 in 2005]. He grabbed him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay [me] what you owe.’
“For the kingdom of heaven is similar to a farmer who went out early one morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.
But he answered one of them, saying, ‘Friend, I have not done anything wrong to you. Did you not agree with me to accept the usual pay for one full day’s work?
He went out about nine o’clock in the morning and saw other unemployed laborers standing [around] in the open shopping market.
So, when those hired about five o’clock in the afternoon came in, each one received the usual pay for one full day’s work. [See note on verse 2].
Show me the coin used for paying taxes.” And they brought to Him a coin [Note: This coin was equivalent to one twelve hour day’s wages of a farm laborer, or about $108 in 2005].
Then He said to His disciples, “Certainly there is plenty to harvest but there are [too] few people to do the work. You should pray to the Lord of the harvest to send [more] workers out into the field to gather His crop.”
Should we pay it, or should we not pay it?” But Jesus was aware of their hypocrisy and said to them, “Bring me the coin so I can see it.” [Note: The amount of this coin was equivalent to one twelve-hour day of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $108 in 2005].
For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and he will not drink any wine or intoxicating drinks [Note: This restriction suggests that John may have taken the special vow of consecration making him a “Nazarite”]. And he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the time he is born.
Then the next day he gave the lodge keeper two coins [Note: These coins amounted to two twelve-hour days of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $216 in 2005] and told him, ‘Take care of this [injured] man; and whatever more you have to spend on him I will repay you when I come back [this way] again.’
“Show me the coin [used for paying the taxes]. [Note: This coin was equivalent to one twelve-hour day of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $108 in 2005]. Whose image and inscription are on this coin?” And they answered Him, “Caesar’s.”
And [remember] that, from childhood, you have known the sacred Scriptures which are able to make you wise [enough] to be saved through faith in Christ Jesus.
And I heard what sounded like a voice coming from among the four living beings, saying, “A quart [measure] of wheat sells for a day’s pay [Note: This amount would be about $108 in 2005, based on one twelve-hour day of a farm laborer’s wages. See Matt. 20:2]; three quart measures of barley sell for a day’s pay; but do not damage the [olive] oil and wine [i.e., the orchards and vineyards].